Kindergarten
The kindergarten class is for children who will be 5 by August 15, and upon recommendation by the child’s teacher for children who will be 5 by October 31. The third year is the crucial last year of the three-year cycle in the preschool class. The kindergarten class is designed to give the five-year-old the maximum opportunity to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. It is based on using the skills the child has gradually built up during the previous two years. These include concentration, self-discipline, curious exploration within the prepared environment of the Montessori classroom, independence, and a basic sensorial preparation for further learning.
The Montessori background enables the 5-year-old child to quickly progress to more challenging and satisfying class work. Five-year-olds from the half day preschool classrooms come together for the kindergarten class. Lessons are taught in small groups that allow for maximum peer interaction. The areas covered are emergent literacy, reading, math, art, advanced practical life, cultural geography, Spanish language, history, botany, zoology, and science experiments.
Kindergarten is available only to children currently enrolled at AMS.